Biz. Owner Interferes with Protest

Saturday's Puppy Mill rally in front of Uncle Bill's in Fishers started out like any other. It was a beautiful day with lots of traffic passing by, hopefully getting our message. Many drivers showed support by honking as they passed. Then all of a sudden there was someone in our midst. I was confused at first. A blond woman dressed in a green polo and black shorts was standing in front of the protesters, marching back and forth while holding a large poster board, obviously trying to block our banners. From across the street, I could not hear what conversation transpired between her and the other protesters, but I could see the woman's antagonistic body language. There was no business name on the poster that advertised some sort of special offer. When a passing driver asked where she was from I heard her say "Extreme Family Fun & Fitness". Her antics continued for the rest of the protest, and when the end came and we rolled up our banners, she took off back to her business, 2 doors down from Uncle Bill's. As we returned to our cars, I finally found out from the others what the woman's purpose was. She claims that the puppy mill protests, which happen only once every 8 weeks at that Fishers shopping center, last only 2 hours, and have NOTHING to do with her company, are costing her a significant amount of business. I also found out that she called one of the protesters a bitch and nearly knocked another one over. She also threatened to return next time with more people.

Personally, I have a hard time seeing her logic. I have a strong feeling she was scapegoating our group for her struggling business (which could be her own fault or simply the state of the economy right now). I also think her tactics were counter-intuitive. She could have used the protests as a way to network or somehow make a positive impact, and demonstrated herself to be a compassionate person. Instead she showed that the only thing she cares for is herself. If the enemy of your enemy is your friend, she has allied herself with and supported the puppy mill industry. And like Uncle Bill's, which also supports the puppy mill industry, I will call on the community to boycott Extreme Family Fun and Fitness. I also invite the other participants of that protest to tell their version of the events of that day.